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United Way of Wisconsin Inc

EIN 39-1609340 · Madison, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED WAY OF WISCONSIN IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING AND ENRICHING A STRONG STATEWIDE UNITED WAY NETWORK THAT MAXIMIZES THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL UNITED WAYS TO ADDRESS HUMAN NEEDS, IMPROVE LIVES AND CREATE LASTING POSITIVE CHANGE ACROSS WISCONSIN.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
18
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$176,152, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $1.8 million spent. SPECIAL PROJECTSUNITED WAY OF WISCONSIN, INC. OBTAINS GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND PROGRAM SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH SPECIFIC PURPOSES. LARGE AND UNIQUE GRANTS WERE AWARDED RELATED TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE WHICH WERE EXPENDED IN 2024 AND 2023 AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 2025.
  2. $599,353 spent. MANAGEMENT SERVICESMANAGES 2-1-1 WISCONSIN, INC., THE STATE-WIDE COORDINATING ENTITY THAT OVERSEES WISCONSIN'S 2-1-1 SYSTEM CONNECTING ALL WISCONSINITES TO NEEDED SERVICES IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
  3. $367,057 spent. GREAT RIVERS CONFERENCE PREMIERE REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR LOCAL UNITED WAYS ACROSS THE MIDWEST REGION.
  4. $203,451 spent. MEMBER SERVICESUNITED WAY NETWORK SERVICES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO INCREASE LOCAL UNITED WAY CAPACITY, PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND ESTABLISH STATE-WIDE INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.